The Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Riders Association of Nigeria has described the proposed nationwide ban on motorcycles by the Federal Government as a grave mistake that would do the nation more harm than good if implemented.
The union’s National Chairman, Shamsudeen Adebayo, said this at a press conference on Monday in Abuja, in reaction to the proposed ban on the use of motorcycles over the insecurity in the country by the National Security Council.
Adebayo said, “Without doubt, the council is proposing to put an end to the means of mobility and source of living of 40 million Nigerians directly. The number will increase, at least by another half when you consider those that are directly involved.
“Painfully, these are people whom the government has failed to provide with meaningful employment or any form of sustainable empowerment.
“Using motorcycles as a means of commercial transportation has provided the needed job for millions of Nigerians, and some of our members include higher institution graduates who would have been an added weight to an already overweight unemployed sector of the country.
“Has the government made any plans to absorb these groups of people into paid employment? Let us not forget that these millions of people have children, spouses and dependents that rely on these riders to provide for them.”
The ACOMORAN boss also noted that the union boasts 12 million active riders and six million registered riders across the country, and these cannot be inferred to be accomplices in the current onslaught by terrorists.
ActionAid reacts
Meanwhile, an International Civil Society Organisation, ActionAid Nigeria, has warned the Federal Government against the nationwide ban on motorcycles as well as mining activities.
In a statement by its Communications Coordinator, Lola Ayanda, on Monday, ActionAid Nigeria said an alternative must be provided for those whose livelihood would be affected should the government insist on implementing the proposal.
It partly read,” The ban will undoubtedly further deepen the national multidimensional poverty index if measures are not taken to address the population involved.
“ActionAid Nigeria agrees that placing a ban on the use of motorcycles and mining activities may cut the supply of logistics and source of funds for the purchase of arms to the terrorists, but while this is being contemplated in the national interest to combat insecurity, there must be well thought-out alternatives to lessen the effects of the attendant loss of livelihoods on the people that will be affected.”
